Life, 1911-01-12 · page 42 of 44
Life — January 12, 1911 — page 42: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page announces Life magazine's upcoming themed issues with characteristic satirical humor. The illustration shows tiny figures riding on a large globe, representing Life's editorial reach and influence. The satire operates through mock-serious descriptions of issues dedicated to Socialists, Rich Men, Fashion, Humbugs, Burglars, and Dogs. Life ironically claims to control American fashion and warns that humbugs nationwide should buy the "Humbug's" issue to learn uncomfortable truths about themselves. The Burglar's issue joke—offering "full directions" for breaking in—satirizes crime while tongue-in-cheek blaming the magazine for increased burglaries. The final joke about the Humorous issue is self-aware: Life suggests the concept is so "startlingly original" it needs no advance promotion. This reflects Life's actual prominence in early 20th-century American humor and social commentary, where the magazine positioned itself as arbiter of taste, morality, and public discourse.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Life Makes His Announcement of Some Coming Special Numbers Jan. 19. General—We made this number a general number in order to run Mr. Broughton’s superb winter cover (a snow scene), and also because we like a general number now and then; it gives us a chance to catch up on certain good things. Jan. 26. Theatrical—Cover by Flagg. Not one photographic reproduction of any actor or actress in this number, which alone is worth the price of admission. But original pictures! Everything from vaudeville to tragedy, from Aristophanes to Ade. 2. Valentine—A complete concatenation of concentrated bliss, this number contains all the latest news about love. Startling oscu- latory sensations! Connubial complica- tions. Cupid, with mask torn off at last, stands revealed to the waiting world as he really is. Wonderful denouement. An en- tirely original number. Feb. 16. Socialist—Cover by Ker. This is a number that will interest everybody on earth. It deals not with facts, but with truths, and it conveys them in pictures. Mr. Ker's cover—but, wait until you see it. Feb. 23. Rich Man’s—Cover by Orson Lowell. Naturally, this number, asa logical sequence, will follow the Socialist. Every type of rich man is pictured, and his noble generosity, his high-minded purposes, his breadth of character and his broad humanity—all are set forth with absolute fidelity. March 2. Peacock—Cover by Lowell. Another Fashion number. It has taken Life a long time to control the fashions of this country, but it has been accomplished at last. No well-gowned woman thinks of buying any- thing now without consulting Life. All the latest styles given in this number. March 23. Humbug’s—Cover by Budd. A uni- versal number, dedicated to the American people. Every form of humbug is here de- picted. If you happen to bea humbug your- self, buy a copy and learn the fatal truth. (It is estimated that if all the humbugs in the country buy this number, our circula- tion will jump up to eighty millions.) March 30. Travel—Cover by Dart. Notice later. April 6. Easter—Notice later. But we cannot help but remark that this will be one of those gigantic numbers—it may be a hun- dred and fifty pages. April 13. Burglar’s—Cover by Flagg. Do you burgle? Full directions given with this number. Every style of entry. When you see‘this number you will no longer wonder at the increase in crime. April 20. Dog—Cover by Hutt. Life has been receiving requests for this number for some- thing over a year. Why have we held off? We have had ample material about dogs, but our feeling about the dog is something distinctive and individual, and we have delayed this number until it could be just the way we wanted it. April 27. Humorous—Cover by Hutt. Yes, here itisatlast. Areal humorous number of Life. The idea of Life issuing a humorous number isin itself so startlingly original that we don't have to advertise its leading features in ad- vance. Be prepared. comicbooks.com